To Greentree

Note 2021/06: I have no idea if this ride still happens; I have not attended in some years and there was a lot of development on the loop in recent years. This page remains only for historical reasons.

Greentree is an unsanctioned, free, mock crit, held on a ~1 mile loop in Marlton, NJ:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4429994

The ride begins running every Thursday evening with the start of Daylight Savings, and continues every week through late summer/early fall.

Rules

The basic principles:

• Wear a helmet, just like always. The ride is fairly safe but crashes do happen, just like in any race or similarly serious ride.
• Obey the yellow line; the roads are plenty wide enough. The area is fairly quiet but there are cars on course, plus delivery trucks. Be heads up and safe.
• Public urination, as always, is illegal! Be discrete changing as well so you don't jeopardize the venue.
• Riders that pop off are free to jump back in. Don't join the breakaway though, and don't ride on the wrong side of the road when dropped.
• Don't be stupid.

Time

Early on the ride starts at 6pm and last about an hour, but shifts later and runs longer as sundown creeps later. Eventually it settles on starting at 6:30 and running for about 75 minutes. The specific duration for the night is announced at the start.

Format

There are no sprints so it's just a flat out ride; think of it as a 2/3/4 crit with no primes. There is usually a very fast breakaway and staying at the front is very hard, but hanging at the back is not super difficult. That said, this is *NOT* a good first group ride/race.

Getting There

Most people drive over. Budget extra time if doing so, traffic can be extensive. There is plenty of parking in lots all around the course.

A good number of people ride over from Philly. It's about 15 miles from Center City. There is generally a very fast drop group that leaves from Breakaway Bikes at 5:15 and the Ben Franklin Bridge west side at 5:30 (15 minutes earlier in the opening weeks). The group doesn't necessarily wait for people, the pace is often harder than Greentree itself, and they're putting in training time to & from, so be respectful and don't jump on that train unless prepared for it. There are often more relaxed, no-drop groups heading over as well, so ask around for something more casual.

Notably, the Ben Franklin bridge pedestrian/bicycle walkway closes at night, as early as 6pm in the winter and gradually extending to 9pm in the summer. Check the signs at the ends of the walkway for details. If you miss the walkway closing, PATCO trains run into Center City, have a frequent schedule 24/7, and cost $1.40. There is a station at 5th and Market in Camden, a few blocks from the walkway.

If riding to and from, plan on being back around 8:30. It'll be dark by the end, so bring a flashing rear light. In the opening weeks a headlight is also useful. Bring $1.40 just in case you're late to the bridge and have to take PATCO instead of the walkway. Make sure you have enough food and drinks to be out riding all evening, though many groups stop at a Wawa near the course on the way back when it's very hot out.

The route is straightforward for the reasonably adventurous. There are a few different main routes, and several variations. This is the most common and simplest:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4430062

A frequent variation is to continue on Church, then make the right turns on Maple and Greentree to swing around from the far side of the course rather than ride on 73.

Another common approach is to return up Church parallel to 73 to the Tacony-Palmyra bridge and avoid taking the train when the Ben Franklin bridge closes; the Tacony-Palmyra walkway is open 24/7.